Tampa Bay Rays - TeamReport

Tampa Bay Rays - TeamReport

Even the next morning, Rays infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist had a hard time believing he had been chosen for the American League All-Star team.

"I'm still kind of shocked, still kind of confused,'' Zobrist said. "I don't know that it's really sunk in yet. But I guess as we get closer and we make plans and things like it'll start to become more of a reality.''

It was very real, as American League/Detroit manager Jim Leyland chose Zobrist as the Rays representative over the seemingly more deserving Evan Longoria, primarily because Zobrist is a switch-hitter with the versatility to play anywhere on the field.

"I really didn't expect it,'' Zobrist said. "It feels great. It's a huge honor to be selected. I really think of other guys before myself on this team that I feel like are more deserving, but I feel like this is probably one of those cases where my versatility is giving me an opportunity here."

Zobrist will be making his second All-Star appearance, and said he was honored to be chosen, especially in what has been an inconsistent season as he is hitting .264 with six home runs and 47 RBIs after Monday's 7-4 win over Minnesota.

Manager Joe Maddon said that made Zobrist being picked even better.

"I love the selection from the perspective that a complete game matters, it's not just about batting average,'' Maddon said. "Ben personifies the complete baseball player and has done so year in and year out. It's great to see him recognized for it."

--DH Luke Scott hit his sixth homer of the season Monday in the Rays' 7-4 win over Minnesota at Tropicana Field. He is 7-for-14 on the current homestand. He moved into the second spot in the batting order Monday.

--CF Desmond Jennings went 2-for-4 with a triple, walk and scored twice Monday in a 7-4 win over the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field. He is 14-for-33 with 11 runs, five RBIs and six walks since moving back to the lead-off spot eight games ago.

--RHP Roberto Hernandez (4-10, 4.93) earned no decision Monday in 7-4 win over the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field. The right-hander allowed three runs on six hits with an intentional walk and two strikeouts in six innings.

--RHP Alex Cobb said his 47-pitch bullpen session at Tropicana Field went well, and he hopes to again begin throwing to live hitters with a targeted comeback to game play at the end of July or early August. Cobb was struck in the head by a line drive hit by the Royals' Eric Hosmer on June 15. The bullpen session was his second. Cobb is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Thursday.

--RHP Chris Archer (3-2, 4.17) is scheduled to make his eighth start of the season Tuesday when the Tamp Bay Rays host the Minnesota Twins at Tropicana Field. The No. 1 and No. 2 hitters in the lineup are batting .351/.429/.676 (13-for-37) with six extra-base hits against Archer; No. 3-thru-6 hitters are batting .226/.333/.355 (14-for-62) with 4 extra-base hits and No. 7-thru-9 hitters are batting .111/.250/.167 (4-for-36) with two extra-base hits.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Everybody here has got to play the same group of teams. I just think we're playing well." -- Manager Joe Maddon said after the Rays won their seventh in eight games Monday over Minnesota in a stretch that also includes the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox, all teams with losing records.

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MLB Team Report - Tampa Bay Rays - ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

--RHP Alex Cobb (concussion) went on the seven-day disabled list June 16. Cobb said June 24 he was still having symptoms but was confident he would return this season. He returned to the mound July 5 to throw a bullpen session, threw a second July 8 and is scheduled to throw another July 11.

--RHP Brandon Gomes (right lat strain) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 8. He threw his first bullpen session June 16. He began a rehab assignment with Class A Charlotte on June 24, but he had a setback in his recovery June 27. His status is unknown.

--RHP Jeff Niemann (sore right shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 28, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 16. He had season-ending surgery April 10 to repair his rotator cuff and labrum. The expected recovery time is nine to 12 months.

--RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo (Tommy John surgery in September 2012) went on the 60-day disabled list on March 31. He is spending most of the season rehabbing his elbow, throwing his first bullpen session on June 16, with the possibility he could help the Rays in September. Plus, they hold a 2014 option.